One Swallow
doesn’t make a Summer; but hopefully 2 Swifts sighted wheeling over the
outfield in trade-mark fashion, may do so for BDCC, for whom three losses and
sub-optimal volunteers for the crease in unseasonally cold conditions, have
failed to lift us out of hibernation mentality.

On a sunny
evening, the Docs won the toss and elected to bat. The opening partnership of
Rob Adcock and John Ogle failed to find much momentum against the naggingly
accurate bowling of Butson and 13 year old Keith Barrow; the latter had Ogle
well caught at Mid-On for 7 and finished with figures of 1-3 off 3. One lusty
blow for 4 helped Adders to reach double figures before being castled for 12
by first-change bowler Buller. Stowey who have a wealth of up and
coming talent rotated 8 bowlers, none of whom offered a loose ball. The
Moodys, Sam and Ben, on loan from Wiveliscombe, came and went, but reliable
Dickie Budd set the score-board alight with a rapid 20 including a
straight-driven 6 from the Pavilion end. Sam Powell reached a watchful
(for him) 13, Jeremy Minchin blazed 12, and Tom Guppy was undefeated at the
close with a fine 16.

Our total of 93
off 18 overs was defendable, but alas Pickard (18) and Coombes (19), M.
Barrow (26) and Jack Rich (25, and son of Phil), thought otherwise.

Sam Powell bowled
well for 1-13 off 4, as did Jeremy Budd (1-25 off 3). Mark Constable
(ex-policeman, 0-14), Ben Moody (0-21), and Jeremy Minchin all wheeled away
with skill and endeavour without much luck. Dickie Budd very nearly took a
magnificent catch at full stretch running backwards in the Covers, but we
lost by 8 wickets with 4 overs remaining.